Not really. They appeal to very different groups of people.
My issues with Carson are:
- he is squishy on the Second Amendment
- he is anti-liberty on vaccines
- he claims to be pro-life but apparently used to refer certain patients to abortionists.
Not to dispute that he is a brilliant man.
In other words, he treats vaccines as a public health benefit whether or not they benefit any individual. Sounds pretty rational to me. Also in the big picture it is a minor issue.
- he is anti-liberty on vaccines
I give him a pass on this. He knows way more about this then we could only dream about.
"I generally oppose gun control, but I support the ban on assault weapons and I support a slightly longer waiting period to purchase a gun. " The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump, p.102 , Jul 2, 2000
he claims to be pro-life but apparently used to refer certain patients to abortionists.
"Carson told the Baltimore Sun in 1992, “As a physician who does not believe in abortion, when faced with a patient who has severe medical problems, I would refer someone for an abortion.""
"Trump clarified his views on abortion, saying he favors abortion rights, but respects those who oppose his position. “I believe it is a personal decision that should be left to the women and their doctors,” he said." Associated Press , Dec 2, 1999
It seems as though Trump held even more liberal positions on those issues than Carson in the past, and both of them have espoused much more conservative positions on these issues more recently. Are you willing to accept Trump's change of position as sincere, but unwilling to do the same for Carson? If so, why the difference? If not, then these issues should be moot and not have any impact on your opinion of Carson.
“Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson and Donald Trump were criticized by pro-life activists this week after they waffled on their positions regarding abortion, research on aborted baby body parts and funding Planned Parenthood.
After Carson indicated support for the abortion drug RU-486 in the case of rape or incest, Cavuto asked Carson, “At the point of conception do you see that as life Doctor?”
“Certainly once the heart starts beating, certainly at that point,” replied Carson.”
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